The Oh-So-Complicated World of British Royal Fashion Rules

What's it like to be a member of the British royal family? From the outside, it looks pretty easy: lavish dinners, beautiful gowns, and a staff to cater to your every whim. Who wouldn't want that? But as it turns out, being a royal comes with its own set of rules and regulations, many of which might seem extreme to us normal people. With so many guidelines to learn, it's a wonder that Kate and Meghan, who married and are marrying into the British monarchy, were able to pick them up so quickly.

While Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and now Meghan Markle have done their part to modernize the British royal family, there are still many rules and traditions from before even Queen Elizabeth's time that continue to this day. That said, each woman (as well as many other members of the royal family) have found little ways to stay true to their style while still following both official and unofficial royal family dress codes.

Some of these rules require plain old common sense to understand (bright, gaudy nail polish is a no-no, and nude pantyhose is required). Others, though, are head scratchers — like why Prince George is only allowed to wear shorts (yes, seriously!).

Keep scrolling to learn more about royal etiquette rules when it comes to the family's dress code.

Royal family members must wear hats to official functions.

If you've ever seen photos from a royal event and wondered "Why do royals wear hats all the time?" you're not alone. These fashionable, funky, and over-the-top hats are part of the royal dress code and have been for decades — plus, they provide a bit of entertainment for us non-royals. Of all the things we love about the royal family, hats — especially kooky royal wedding hats — are one of our favorites.

"Up until the 1950s, ladies were very seldom seen without a hat, as it was not considered 'the thing' for ladies to show their hair in public," Diana Mather, a senior tutor for The English Manner etiquette consultancy in the UK, told BBC.
"But all that has changed, and hats are now reserved for more formal occasions."

Though she's not afraid to wear a little (or a lot!) of color, Queen Elizabeth's hats tend to be of a more conservative style. Kate Middleton, on the other hand, usually takes a fashion risk with her hats and fascinators. We'll have to wait and see what she wears to Meghan Markle's wedding, but we do know that she'll have to don a hat. And considering her track record (whoever selects Kate Middleton's accessories always brings their A-game), her hat just may help her upstage the bride.